So, Who`s No. 1? And Winner Is: Probably Both 12-0 Teams

Miami and Washington made convincing final arguments on New Year`s Day, and then the Case of Who`s No. 1 went to the jury.

The Hurricanes and the Huskies finished as the only 12-0 teams. Miami routed Nebraska 22-0 in the Orange Bowl in Miami after Washington crushed Michigan 34-14 in the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif.

The media, who vote in the Associated Press poll, and the coaches, who vote in the USA Today/CNN poll, will crown the champion -- or champions.

For the second consecutive season, split polls were expected by many experts:

-- Miami to retain the No. 1 ranking in the Associated Press poll, voted on by the media.

-- Washington to be the sentimental, Academy-Awards choice of the coaches, who had the Huskies and Hurricanes tied in the final regular-season poll.

``Washington can order the rings right now,`` said renowned college football commentator Beano Cook.

``I don`t know if I`d ever be more disappointed if we didn`t get at least a share of the national championship,`` said longtime Washington coach Don James, who has never claimed a national championship, losing the closest AP vote to Brigham Young in 1984.

``Growing up, your mother told you to share, but this is one time I don`t want to share,`` said Miami corner back Ryan McNeil. ``If we have to, so be it.``

Colorado (AP) and Georgia Tech (coaches) were named national champions last season. The Buffaloes finished 10-1-1, the Yellow Jackets 11-0-1.

For the first time, the results of the polls were to be announced after the games. The USA Today/CNN poll was to be released at 2:30 a.m. on CNN, with the AP poll at 6 a.m.

Miami took over the top spot after upsetting then-No. 1 Florida State 17-16 Nov. 16, but the Hurricanes` hold was shaken after a 19-14 close call at 4-7 Boston College the following week. Miami led Washington 37-23 in first-place votes going into the bowls.

That should be plenty, given Miami`s big victory over Nebraska -- more decisive than Washington`s come-from-behind 36-21 win in September.

No No. 1 team in the AP poll going into the bowls has been dumped after a victory.

``Miami stays No. 1 in my poll,`` said Mark Blaudschun of the Boston Globe. ``There`s no reason to switch. Miami won as convincingly as Washington.``

``Miami is No. 1 because it played the better schedule,`` said Ed Sherman of the Chicago Tribune, another voter who agreed. ``Miami`s win at Florida State was the best win of the year, better than anything on Washington`s schedule.``

Miami has led Washington since the preseason poll, which ranked the Hurricanes No. 3 and the Huskies 4. Washington felt it would have been ranked higher if not for uncertainty at quarterback, where Billy Joe Hobert replaced injured starter Mark Brunell.

In addition to the AP and USAT/CNN polls, United Press International, The Sporting News and the National Football Foundation Hall of Fame will crown national champions. Washington was No. 1 in the UPI and TSN final regular- season polls.